Drybrook 21ptsCullompton 6pts
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Drybrook got off to the best possible start in the league with this workman like victory over their Devon visitors.
All of the early running came from Drybrook and they were rewarded when hooker Luke Fisher burst through a gap before racing clear for the opening try.
Playing at pace, Drybrook were just denied a second try, when a last ditch tackle prevented Sam Peaper from going over in the corner.
Drybrook suffered a set back after 15 minutes when centre Simon Rugman was carried off with a knee injury but they were still able to dominate and Cullompton lost a player to the sin bin after illegally stopping a catch and drive.
The Devon men then rallied and began to make inroads into Drybrook territory and with 30 minutes on the clock they opened their account with a penalty, one of several that Drybrook conceded for not releasing quickly enough after the tackle.
Half time came with Drybrook just hanging on to their slender lead.
Half Time:
Drybrook 5pts
Cullompton 3pts
Drybrook needed to up their game after the break and the inspiration came from No8 Mitch Bourne who made a telling break to put them on the front foot again.
Constant pressure deep in the visitors’ half was finally rewarded when flanker Lee Ward was put over on the overlap and Alun Richards converted to increase Drybrook’s lead.
It was then time for Drybrook to soak up a lot of pressure as Collumpton laid siege to the home line and after some desperate defending, second row Niall Gibbons was sent to the bin.
Collumpton kicked the resulting penalty to close the gap and Drybrook were forced to hang on for a period until they were able to relieve the pressure.
Into the last quarter Drybrook finally got back on top and after a fine break from fullback Kristian Taft they were awarded a penalty but Richards was just off target with his kick.
The stylish outside half made amends a few minutes later though when he put over penalty after Cullompton were caught offside in front of their posts.
Drybrook kept up the pressure and Richards put over a smart drop goal to extend the lead.
With the minutes ticking away winger Mitch Baldwin was just beaten to the touchdown following a kick and chase and Drybrook’s superiority at the end was emphasised when Richards put over a late penalty to complete the scoring.
Man of the match for Drybrook was Mitch Bourne for another outstanding performance with backs Kristian Taft and Alun Richards also prominent.
Areas of concern for Drybrook were an occasionally creaking scrum and poor kicking from hand in contrast to the visitors whose kicking game was top class.
Drybrook; Kristian Taft, Mitch Baldwin, Simon Rugman, Ben Large (Capt), Sam Peaper, Alun Richards, Tom Treherne, Dean Jelf, Luke Fisher, Mitch Hale, Niall Gibbons, Marcus Cowles, Danny Price, Lee Ward, Mitch Bourne.
Replacements; Jose Kabile, Ashley Howells, Tony Suter.
